HSSB73: The time to shine has come once again
While Yan Zhaoge appeared completely ordinary on the outside, his body currently contained an explosive power.
Within each of the acupoints on his body, there seemed to be coiling an ice dragon as well as a fire dragon.
Fire and ice intersected like yin and yang, complementing each other and benefiting from each other’s strengths as each cycle passed.
In the time it took to lift a hand or raise a leg, it was like there were innumerable ice and fire dragons moving about impatiently together.
Having reached the front of the crowd, Yan Zhaoge finally landed on the ground, bowing in greeting.
Only now did everyone finally recover from their dazed, stunned state, though the way they looked at Yan Zhaoge now was, understandably, extremely weird.
He had taken a month before achieving his breakthrough from the early to the mid outer aura stage, then spent half a year before once again breaking through into the late outer aura stage.
At first glance, the speed of the latter seemed to have decreased.
But everyone present knew that the former required achieving a certain epiphany and level of understanding before one could break through the bottleneck and form weapons with their qi, whereas the latter required lots of pure, grinding effort, accumulating and refining one’s aura-qi to a certain point before the breakthrough could be successful.
From a certain perspective, what was needed was just a lot of time.
However, in such a time-consuming process, Yan Zhaoge had actually also surpassed people by so, so much, having completed it in a far shorter time.
“How exactly did he manage it?” Everyone could only feel dizzy as their heads spun, “Could it still be said that there was a shortcut for this?”
Like the Sacred Sun Clan’s Divine Sun Needle technique, as long as it was a technique that helped one to progress using such unnatural ways, it would generally by followed by some severe side-effects. Oftentimes, the cost would be greater than the benefits. Unless there was no other choice, no one would choose to utilise such methods.
Also, such methods could not be used more than once. After having been used the first time, the side-effects it would leave behind would eliminate the possibility of using it ever again.
Therefore, the way everyone was looking at Yan Zhaoge now was like how they would look at a monster.
Yan Zhaoge pretended not to notice this. Taking to the air and levitating had been to show off his new cultivation base. Now that this goal had already been achieved, he no longer had to express anything about it in words.
What words could he say?
Just take a glance and figure it out for yourself.
“En, it should be just like this.” Yan Zhaoge was very satisfied with the effect, thus completely not mentioning the topic that the crowd had been discussing previously, instead asking like nothing had happened, “Everyone gathering here—could it be that something major has happened?”
The others awakened one by one, one of them answering, “The black fog within the Sealing Dragon Abyss has been rapidly expanding once again, even more densely than before. Even ordinary Martial Scholars are finding it hard to approach.”
“With the abnormalities in the Sealing Dragon Abyss having intensified, Elder Qin, Elder Yan and the others are preparing to venture deep into the Sealing Dragon Abyss and suppress the black fog, as well as investigate the situation.”
The scale of the abnormalities this time was something that had never been seen before.
But to Broad Creed Mountain, the Sacred Sun Clan as well as the Eastern Tang Kingdom, it was also a good chance to settle the problem for good.
If they only treated the symptoms rather than the root, it would turn into a long-term problem, involving even more of their attention in the future.
Before this, the few powers had always been observing from the side, just waiting for the problem of the Sealing Dragon Abyss to completely erupt out for good before moving once to see where the cause of the symptoms lay, thus resolving the situation.
At the same time, the root of the problem should lie in Hell.
Yan Zhaoge nodded. He had exited seclusion at just the right time.
Not speaking unnecessarily, Yan Zhaoge and the others went together to meet Elder Qin as well as the other high-level experts of Broad Creed Mountain.
Other than Elder Qin and Yan Xu, Broad Creed Mountain also had a long-time Elder who had hurried over to the East Heaven Region to help keep an eye on the Sacred Sun Clan. He was likewise a longtime Martial Grandmaster, possessing strong ability.
Seeing Yan Zhaoge, Elder Qin said, “This time, you shouldn’t enter the Sealing Dragon Abyss along with this old man and the others.”
“In such a critical period, it’s very hard to say what actions the Sacred Sun Clan will take. Our clan places caution as a priority—we cannot afford to not stand vigilant against them.”
Yan Zhaoge answered, “I understand.”
That Elder who had just arrived from Broad Creed Mountain remained outside to hold down the formation as well as look after Yan Zhaoge, also monitoring the Sacred Sun Clan’s movements in the meantime.
Yan Xu, being naturally familiar with the situation as the Principal Elder of the Eastern Tang, was also left to assist with the situation outside.
Elder Qin and the others were thus set to venture into the depths of the Sealing Dragon Abyss.
From the Eastern Tang, their King, Zhao Shicheng, would also venture there personally.
Although, as king, he shouldn’t take the risk himself and stand at the frontlines like a simple foot soldier, he was duty-bound to participate as he was the only one who could activate the power of Jingyang City’s grand formation from a long distance away.
The lands of the Eastern Tang were firmly connected with the Sealing Dragon Abyss. As Jingyang City was the central area where all of the power of the Eastern Tang Kingdom’s earth veins congregated, it would be of great help to the expedition.
In order to prepare for the worst, the group of Broad Creed Mountain experts led by Elder Qin would travel alongside Zhao Shicheng and the other Eastern Tang Kingdom martial practitioners.
Meanwhile, the Sacred Sun Clan also transmitted over the news that due to the fact that Hell along with the Sealing Dragon Abyss was a major, pressing issue, a group of their experts led by the East Rising Lord would also be venturing into the depths of the Sealing Dragon Abyss.
Infinite Boundless Mountain similarly sent news that they would not ignore this matter.
As the news was sent over, the Eastern Tang Kingdom citizens who were hovering on the brink of danger yet having a limited knowledge of the true situation naturally all rejoiced and danced in celebration.
At this moment, on the surface, the three Sacred Grounds looked like they had reached a common agreement and forgotten what had happened in the past between them.
But the inside story was something only that those involved would themselves know.
Standing on the ramparts of Overlooking Abyss City, gazing far away, Yan Zhaoge could see the contours of the Luliao Mountains. At the same time, in another direction but still close to them, he saw an area with a thick black fog rising into the heavens.
Half of the entire sky appeared to have been enveloped by it.
Standing by Yan Zhaoge’s side, Ah Hu’s expression was more grave than usual. “If the aura cannot be externalised, it would even be impossible to go near its outskirts.”
Yan Zhaoge stroked his chin. “The crucial point actually lies with Hell. The various Sacred Grounds have already dispatched some peak experts over to investigate, with the lineup being even more terrifying over on this side. From our clan, my father headed out personally.”
Ah Hu stroked his chin as well in a copycat manner. “With the Family Head moving personally, there shouldn’t be any problems, right? The other Sacred Grounds probably also sent over their top bigwigs.”
Yan Zhaoge looked around his surroundings. “It’s with me that there might easily be problems.”
“I have now become professional bait, specially used to get people on the hook.”
“Earlier, it was the Crimson Spirit Flag Master. Now, it is the Sacred Sun Clan’s people.”
Ah Hu frowned, “Young Master, there have been no news of the Crimson Spirit Flag Master for such a long time. It can’t be that he will also come over to fish in troubled waters this time?”
Yan Zhaoge shook his head, “To him, the water here is already too troubled to fish in. With three Sacred Grounds staring at this region of the Eastern Tang, it would be completely impossible for him to sneak himself in.”
“As soon as he appeared, he would die immediately.”
“Although Elder Qin has entered the Sealing Dragon Abyss, Elder Kong is waiting outside specifically for the people of the Sacred Sun Clan.”
Ah Hu gave a simple laugh. “Young Master, your time to shine has come once again.”
“Get lost!” Yan Zhaoge scolded laughingly, “In your eyes, do I only ever rely on this kind of method to shine?”
After having finished laughing, Yan Zhaoge asked, “Back to serious matters—has the news been sent out yet?”
Ah Hu also stopped laughing and replied with a serious expression, “It was sent out as soon as Elder Qin and the others entered the Sealing Dragon Abyss.”
Yan Zhaoge nodded, then looked towards the distance as he muttered to himself, “If he wants to move, it should be with this wave. What I am interested in is—how does Yan Xu intend to deal with me?”
As time passed, the faraway black fog roiled, its momentum seemingly growing to the point of wanting to surge into the heavens.
Who knows how long after, the black fog suddenly shook vigorously, before a bright, dazzling light rose up from within it, charging straight up towards the horizon!
Everyone from Overlooking Abyss City who had been paying close attention to the situation all let out a sigh of relief.
Although the situation was unclear, the momentum of the black fog was obviously gradually getting under control.
But Yan Zhaoge very quickly received yet another piece of news.
Upon receiving this piece of news, his good mood that had been borne from the situation within the Sealing Dragon Abyss falling under control, completely vanished.
“The King of the Eastern Tang Kingdom, Zhao Shicheng, met with danger in the Sealing Dragon Abyss!”
HSSB74: The Sacred Sun Clan’s scheme
“In having met with danger in the Sealing Dragon Abyss, Elder Qin had been acting together with Uncle Zhao for the express purpose of guarding against the Sacred Sun Clan’s East Rising Lord and the others.”
Yan Zhaoge sucked in a deep breath, looking at the black-bearded middle-aged man before him.
This black-bearded middle aged man was Elder Kong, who had come over from Broad Creed Mountain to assist Elder Qin in the East Heaven Region.
Elder Kong had a refined air about him. Dressed in a long gown, he resembled an ordinary middle-aged scholar.
Having already become familiar with him back at the clan, Yan Zhaoge knew that this Elder always liked to leave a bit of room for himself in his words.
In saying that Zhao Shicheng had met with danger in the Sealing Dragon Abyss, the actual situation would probably be even worse.
Looking at Yan Zhaoge, Elder Kong said simply, “Elder Qin and the others are still suppressing the abnormalities within the Sealing Dragon Abyss, thus requiring me to go rescue King Zhao and get him out.”
“That way, I will no longer be able to stay outside and look after you. Are you willing to enter the Sealing Dragon Abyss along with me?”
Yan Zhaoge did not hesitate, promptly answering, “I am willing.”
Elder Kong nodded. Not wasting any time on words, they moved out immediately.
On their way there, Yan Zhaoge finally came to hear the whole story about what was happening now.
While the abnormalities in the Sealing Dragon Abyss had not yet been completely quelled, there would also no longer be any major changes there.
According to Elder Kong, the source of the large scale abnormalities this time actually lay in Hell.
After Yan Di and the other experts took care of the problem there, the changes to the Sealing Dragon Abyss would naturally dissipate into the wind.
Earlier, the Ghost Hatchet Elder Han Sheng and some others had left behind a seed in the Sealing Dragon Abyss.
When massive upheaval occurred over in Hell as planned, it would induce a chain reaction in the Sealing Dragon Abyss.
Han Sheng’s misdoings having been exposed earlier than planned because of Yan Zhaoge, they had already been partially taken care of.
Today, they would be completely eliminated by the root.
However, in this process, a problem had cropped up.
Zhao Shicheng had drawn upon the power of Jingyang City’s grand formation to assist Elder Qin as well as the people from the Sacred Sun Clan and Infinite Boundless Mountain in suppressing the abnormalities in the Sealing Dragon Abyss.
In the midst of this, the formation being unstable, under the assault of the Sealing Dragon Abyss, there was a backlash, the power of the formation flowing in reverse and numerous chaotic streams of baleful qi rushing into Zhao Shicheng’s body.
The power of the Sealing Dragon Abyss saw this as a gap in their defences, thus counterattacking with all its might, all of its pressure virtually falling on Zhao Shicheng himself.
While Elder Qin and the others managed to suppress this chaotic power in time, Zhao Shicheng still suffered some grave injuries as a result.
What was even harder to deal with was that many chaotic streams of baleful qi entered Zhao Shicheng’s body in the form of a black fog, causing him to lapse into unconsciousness, his body also becoming hard to shift as a result.
The chaotic streams of baleful qi were like a chain, forcibly dragging Zhao Shicheng deeper into the abyss.
The accompanying group of Eastern Tang Kingdom martial practitioners could only barely ensure that Zhao Shicheng was not swallowed up by the abyss, not being able to escort him safely out of the Sealing Dragon Abyss to seek treatment.
In entering the Sealing Dragon Abyss, Elder Kong’s goal was to first break off the attack of the chaotic streams of baleful qi on Zhao Shicheng’s body, then bring him out of that dangerous place before continuing in his attempts to salvage the situation.
But halfway to the Sealing Dragon Abyss, Yan Zhaoge and Elder Kong could no longer proceed.
Before them appeared a white-clothed woman, a golden damask wrapped around her waist, the air that she exuded shocking the surrounding black fog to roil away from her body in all directions, not daring to draw near.
Looking at Elder Kong and Yan Zhaoge, she smiled coldly, “The situation in the Sealing Dragon Abyss has already calmed down. It should also be time to properly settle things between us.”
“Does your Broad Creed Mountain think that my Sacred Sun Clan is so easy to bully?”
Elder Kong frowned, “It was the lot of you who did some tampering, causing an accident to happen with the Eastern Tang’s formation.”
Wagging her fingers, the beautiful woman raised her eyebrows, “Such words cannot be spoken lightly; the abnormalities in the Sealing Dragon Abyss and the abnormalities in Hell by connection are a major issue that concerns the entire Eight Extremities World.”
“Everyone worked together in suppressing it; my Sacred Sun Clan is no exception. Why then would we drag back your feet from behind?”
“As for the King of the Eastern Tang, it can only be said that his luck was bad.”
A coldness gradually surfaced within her eyes, “Of course, a greater possibility is that in not knowing where the trend of the world lies and standing as an enemy of my Sacred Sun Clan, he suffered divine punishment from that heavens. That might be it.”
Elder Kong’s features were as sunken as water. He recognised this woman-she was an important Elder of the Sacred Sun Clan.
Although she was not one of the Seven Reigning Suns, her cultivation attainments were not inferior to the East Rising Lord’s.
While Elder Kong was not afraid of her, since she had launched an attack here to hinder his movements, if he wanted to continue moving forward, it would be very difficult indeed.
Every second that was delayed was every second that Zhao Shicheng fell into further danger.
Looking at the current situation, it seemed like the Sacred Sun Clan had long been planning for this. It didn’t even have to be asked for it to be known that Elder Qin was currently also being pinned down by the East Rising Lord for sure.
Yet the greater concern was the fact that having been rendered unconscious by the earlier turn of events, even whether Zhao Shicheng could make it out of the Sealing Dragon Abyss alive was an unknown.
That Prince Jin, Zhao Shilie outside…
Whether it was Elder Qin or Elder Kong, as long as one of them was outside, Zhao Shilie wouldn’t dare to make such a bold move so easily in the least.
But if it was only Yan Xu…if Zhao Shilie replaced Zhao Shicheng as the one who controlled the grand formation, he would be very hard to deal with.
“Elder Kong, I’ll go find Uncle Zhao,” Yan Zhaoge said in a low voice.
As Elder Kong turned back to glance at him, Yan Zhaoge nodded in confirmation, “I’m going.”
Elder Kong knit his brows slightly, but time waits for no man. After considering slightly for a while, he could only nod his head in agreement.
He quickly told Yan Zhaoge the position of the Eastern Tang group, before adding, “Remember to be careful yourself as well.”
Yan Zhaoge having consecutively created many miracles, Elder Kong at least had a certain level of confidence in him.
Not wasting time, Yan Zhaoge immediately brought Ah Hu along as he continued forward.
The woman wanted to block them, but was herself obstructed by Elder Kong.
Her willow-shaped eyebrows rose as she laughed coldly, “That should be Yan Di’s son, huh? Being able to defeat the late outer aura stage Xiao Shen while himself only in the mid outer aura stage-what a rare feat indeed. However, do not forget.”
“A genius who dies young, is nothing at all.”
Elder Kong said in a light tone, “Anyone who dies is but a heap of yellow soil. Martial Scholars; Martial Grandmasters-it is all the same.”
Saying thus, his palms brushed past each other as he unleashed Broad Creed Mountain’s direct lineage martial art, the Golden Curtain Palm of the Eight Extreme Arts, towards the enemy.
His opponent similarly displayed one of the Sacred Sun Clan’s peak martial arts to meet his attack.
The fight that erupted between two longtime Martial Grandmasters caused the entire Sealing Abyss to quake to the point that it looked extremely unstable.
Walking in a canyon within the abyss, Yan Zhaoge and Ah Hu could feel obvious tremors coming not just from behind them but also from other directions.
Evidently, with the clash between Elder Qin and the East Rising Lord as their head, the experts from Broad Creed Mountain and the Sacred Sun Clan who had entered the Sealing Dragon Abyss had engaged in a large-scale battle.
With the root of the problem having been eliminated over in Hell, the abnormalities in the Sealing Dragon Abyss had been quelled. Finally free of concerns, the two sides no longer held themselves back as all hell broke loose.
Traversing the Sealing Dragon Abyss, Yan Zhaoge could only feel that the entire world was spinning, around them seeming as though it might collapse at any moment.
Ah Hu was also treading step by cautious step as he followed closely by Yan Zhaoge’s side, “Young Master, this is the other side wanting to resolve the problem through its root ah.”
“Having eaten a disadvantage previously in Jingyang City, they want to climb back up from whenever they fell.”
Yan Zhaoge laughed coldly, “Their appetite is huge indeed; their goal is not only killing or maiming me, or perhaps tearing down our clan’s face as revenge for junior apprentice-sister Feng’s matter.”
“They want the Eastern Tang, wresting over a stronghold in the East Heaven Region and permanently taking a step into the Heaven Domain from there.”
Yan Zhaoge let out a relaxed breath, “As the head of a kingdom, in putting himself at risk in coming here this time, Uncle Zhao would definitely have paid much heed to his own safety.”
“Elder Qin specially moving together with him this time was precisely to prevent the Sacred Sun Clan from exacting vengeance on him.”
“But looking at it now, it was not the East Rising Lord’s group who did something-Jingyang City’s grand formation was what went wrong.”
“Being a benevolent ruler, Uncle Zhao’s rule was rather more relaxed. The Sacred Sun Clan’s encroachment into the Eastern Tang runs deeper than what our clan knows of.”
“As long as it is planning and preparations, as time goes by and they become even more thorough and detailed, it would conversely be easier for some traces to be left behind and thereby detected by an opponent.”
“If the Sacred Sun Clan had continued with their preparations just like that, our clan would actually have found it easier to guard against.”
“However, the abnormalities in the Sealing Dragon Abyss this time coincidentally helped to supplement the areas in which they were previously lacking, causing them to act ahead of time and make their move.”
His gaze distant, Yan Zhaoge said, “And it isn’t only the Sacred Sun Clan; I’m afraid that Infinite Boundless Mountain will want to stick its nose into this matter as well.”
HSSB75: One thing leads to another!
Within the Sealing Dragon Abyss, a group of black-clothed people stood silently, watching the canyon before them which looked as though it might collapse completely at any moment.
Standing there, they resembled a whole chain of mountains: brooding, unyielding, dangerous.
All of them were martial practitioners of Infinite Boundless Mountain.
Infinite Boundless Mountain-the hegemon of the Mountain Domain, one of this world’s Sacred Grounds alongside Broad Creed Mountain and the Sacred Sun Clan.
Beside this group of Infinite Boundless Mountain martial practitioners stood a youth, his fangs shining through, wild and untameable.
He was, shockingly, the Sixteenth Prince of the Eastern Tang Kingdom, Zhao Hao.
“With the abnormalities within the Sealing Dragon Abyss already having been suppressed, the black fog calming down a great deal, even Martial Artists can now enter. Otherwise, it would have required some more effort on my part.”
Zhao Hao looked at the Infinite Boundless Mountain martial practitioner beside him, “Elder He, can you determine my father’s position?”
The leading Infinite Boundless Mountain martial practitioner was a decrepit-looking old man.
However, as he stood there, he resembled an enormous mountain, standing erect in the Sealing Dragon Abyss.
The old man said mildly, “As long as the medicinal powder you have provided does not go wrong, it can be determined.”
Zhao Hao nodded, “Then time is of the essence; let us depart quickly.”
“I am currently only a Martial Artist, and thus cannot defeat Zhao Shilie in Jingyang City.”
“However, with Royal Father in hand, there will be a chance.”
Elder He said, “It will all depend on how well you can do. In order to allow Broad Creed Mountain and the Sacred Sun Clan to begin warring without reservation, our clan’s First Seat Elders did not enter the Eastern Tang. However, preparations have already been completed.”
“So long as you succeed, our clan’s assistance will immediately follow, entering the Eastern Tang to assist you in ascending the throne.”
“Even if the case of failure, it’s still fine; you can just follow us back to the Mountain Domain.”
“With your talent as well as methods, you are qualified enough to enter my Infinite Boundless Mountain.”
Zhao Hao strode forward, “I will not fail.”
“Waking up with a killing sword in hand; falling asleep drunk on a beauty’s lap-that is living.”
“Elder Yan, looks like the other party’s goal isn’t Yan Zhaoge but the entire Eastern Tang, ” A martial practitioner said worriedly.
Yan Xu’s expression did not change, “Our first priority is to proceed to the Eastern Tang royal palace, to ensure that Jingyang City’s grand formation does not fall into chaos.”
Whatever plans he had made in private, Yan Xu also didn’t want to see the Sacred Sun Clan gain control of the Eastern Tang, pushing his own Broad Creed Mountain out.
While arranging for the movements of the martial practitioners under him, he asked, “Yan Zhaoge has entered the Sealing Dragon Abyss?”
His subordinate answered, “Yes, he’s entered it alongside Elder Kong.”
“Now that the situation in the Sealing Dragon Abyss is so chaotic, ordinary people don’t even dare to draw near to its outskirts.”
“I’m afraid that Elder Qin, Elder Kong and the others might be in an intense fight against the people of the Sacred Sun Clan at this very moment.”
Yan Xu nodded, thinking, “The Sacred Sun Clan wants to get take care of the Eastern Tang as well as Yan Zhaoge at the same time.”
“With Elder Qin and Elder Kong being pinned down by Sacred Sun Clan experts including the East Rising Lord, the Sacred Sun Clan still has other people present.”
Yan Xu’s gaze was cold and gloomy, “The Eastern Tang will never fall to you. As for Yan Zhaoge though…”
He summoned his most trusted subordinates over, laying down the instructions, “Pay close attention to the situation over in the Sealing Dragon Abyss.”
Eastern Tang royal capital, Jingyang City.
Zhao Shilie stood within the front courtyard of his Jin Mansion. Behind him, not betraying the slightest trace of their presence, stood a group of martial practitioners, all of them brimming with spirit as well as energy.
A Sacred Sun Clan martial practitioner looked at Zhao Shilie from beside him as he slowly said, “Your Highness Jin, be decisive ah.”
Zhao Shilie sucked in deep breath.
The King, Zhao Shicheng, had recently been completely leaning towards Broad Creed Mountain, the situation gradually coming out into the open.
This way, his, Zhao Shilie’s position, had become incomparably awkward.
He was a Martial Grandmaster, one of the three Martial Grandmaster experts of the Eastern Tang royal family.
In consideration of the overall level of power of the Eastern Tang, whether it was Zhao Shicheng or Zhao Shicheng’s successor, none of them would move him easily.
However, if the contradictions between Broad Creed Mountain and the Sacred Sun Clan grew more and more intense, in consideration of the peace of the Eastern Tang, his, Zhao Shilie’s position might no longer be safe.
Zhao Shilie understood his Royal Brother, Zhao Shicheng, well. He was a man who did not lack the ability to make prompt, decisive decisions at critical moments.
Therefore, he himself also had to make a prompt decision.
“The core of the formation lies within the grounds of the royal palace,” Zhao Shicheng promptly strode out.
As they did not have the ability to defeat Broad Creed Mountain decisively within a short period, even if the Sacred Sun Clan wrested control of the Eastern Tang now, they would still have to face Broad Creed Mountain’s retaliatory actions.
The Eastern Tang Kingdom was destined to become the core region which both sides fought to and fro over.
Rather than sitting there waiting for death, with his situation becoming more and more precarious, he might as well go all out in resistance.
At the end of the day, Zhao Shilie was not happy always being placed lower than his brother.
Of the three Martial Grandmasters experts of the Eastern Tang, other than their King Zhao Shicheng and Prince Jin Zhao Shilie, there was also a Prince who was even more senior than them.
This old man, who was of one mind with Zhao Shicheng, was currently in charge of watching over the core of the formation.
The abnormalities in the formation having caused Zhao Shicheng to be injured and then trapped was something that he already knew of, a piece of top secret information which he had brooded over.
But when the old Prince saw Zhao Shilie appear, his worst predictions were immediately proven to be true, “Shilie.”
“Royal Uncle, I will be offending you,” After their encounter, Zhao Shilie didn’t waste any time on words, immediately making his move.
The old Prince sighed, before moving to block Zhao Shilie.
The martial practitioners under them also broke into a melee.
From the view of the outside world, Jingyang City’s grand formation being shaken also had the feeling of being buffeted by the wind and the rain.
In the Sealing Dragon Abyss with its diffused black fog, within the depths of the canyon, was a mass of light which enveloped a distance of a thousand feet all around.
Within the area that the light enveloped, there were rows of radiant spirit patterns flickering about on the ground.
The spirit patterns intersected and crossed, outlining a gigantic formation array that resembled the Eastern Tang’s Jingyang City grand formation, only that its scale was a lot smaller.
Outside of the area that the formation enveloped, it was a tempestuous scene inside of the Sealing Dragon Abyss.
The remnant shockwaves from the clash between the martial practitioners of the two Sacred Grounds made the formation look like it was ready to collapse at any moment.
In the core area where all the spirit patterns intersected, the King of the Eastern Tang Kingdom, Zhao Shilie, lay unconscious.
From his body extended a massive pillar of black qi, within which there was a red glow flickering.
The black qi extended far away, clashing with the formation, its other end extending far into the abyss beneath.
It was like a ferocious black python, biting onto Zhao Shicheng’s body.
The group of Eastern Tang martial practitioners by Zhao Shicheng’s side crowded by him, on one hand barely sustaining the formation, on the other trying to cut off the black qi, in their attempt to rescuing their liege from this perilous situation.
Now, the formation seemed as though it had been stirred up by something, the rows of spirit patterns distorting violently.
Affected by the formation, the body of the unconscious Zhao Shicheng suddenly shuddered.
A line of jet-black blood trickled out from the corner of his mouth.
“Your Majesty!” Everyone was shocked.
Avoiding the massive stones above his head that frequently fell, Yan Zhaoge broke through the black qi, before finally nearing the formation.
The first thing he saw was the formation shuddering, and Zhao Shicheng vomiting out blood.
Yan Zhaoge knit his brows, “As expected, something’s gone wrong over at Jingyang City.”
Seeing that people from Broad Creed Mountain had come over to assist, the Eastern Tang martial practitioners were momentarily overjoyed.
But when they saw that it was only Yan Zhaoge and Ah Hu, their faces instantly filled with disappointment.
If they wanted to break off the black qi pillar, a Martial Grandmaster would be needed.
From outside the formation, the battling Sacred Sun Clan martial practitioners now also discovered that someone was nearing Zhao Shicheng’s group.
At this moment, the black fog suddenly cleared as a golden light flickered. It was like a sun had descended upon the infinite abyss, completely illuminating the surrounding darkness.
A terrifying golden light fell directly towards Yan Zhaoge.
HSSB76: Enemies approaching the city gates!
The terrifying golden sword-light, resembling a huge sun tilted towards the west, hacked down directly towards Yan Zhaoge’s head.
However, another terrifying sword-qi that seemed as though it could chop through anything caused the surrounding wind and clouds to surge as it chopped up diagonally, blocking that golden sword-light.
Not looking up at all, Yan Zhaoge entered the guardian formation, directly rushing towards the King of the Eastern Tang Kingdom, Zhao Shicheng.
The Heaven-Thwarting Mantra which had been lost in the Eight Extremities World following the Great Calamity was now displayed by him.
The Vortex Reversal Technique was rotated at its maximum, the dragon-like aura-qi within his body surging.
This time, it was not guiding the black, foglike chaotic streams of baleful qi into his body like in his cultivation session before.
Instead, it was completely utilised outside of his body as Yan Zhaoge hacked out with his palm, looking as though he was wielding a large blade as he chopped towards that black qi pillar that was drawing Zhao Shicheng towards it.
As it landed, the black qi pillar instantly began distorting violently.
It was like it was a huge snake which possessed true life; having been injured by a sword blow, it thrashed its thick body about in pain.
Where the blow had landed, the black qi pillar had obviously thinned out, as though a sizeable wound had been inflicted on it.
“How did he do that?” The Eastern Tang Kingdom martial practitioners looked like they had all just seen a ghost.
Yan Zhaoge did not have time to waste on pleasantries. Using his palm as a blade, he landed a few consecutive palms on the same position.
The black qi pillar shuddered violently before finally breaking apart with a loud boom.
A portion of it was swiftly retracted into the abyss, while some of it was infused into Zhao Shicheng’s body.
Zhao Shicheng’s body shuddered once again, blood once again trickling from the corner of his mouth. However, without the pull of the black qi, they could now finally take him out of Sealing Dragon Abyss.
While the Eastern Tang Kingdom martial practitioners where shocked by Yan Zhaoge’s performance, they knew that now was not the time for unnecessary words. They hurriedly protected Zhao Shicheng as they began retreating from the Sealing Dragon Abyss.
The tempest above him was much more intense. The Sacred Sun Clan martial practitioners began trying to break through and head downwards, while the Broad Creed Mountain martial practitioners counterattacked unceasingly.
The East Rising Lord’s moves became wilder and more unrestrained.
With a few West-tilting Heaven Incinerating Blades, it was as though the entire Sealing Dragon Abyss was going to be destroyed all at once, leaving everyone buried.
The Elder Qin whose personality was like a raging fire was, conversely, calm and composed at this time, not aiming for merit but at least not trying to make a mistake.
He carefully received the East Rising Lord’s every move, ensuring that Yan Zhaoge, Zhao Shicheng and the rest would have the time to retreat.
Yan Zhaoge accompanied the Eastern Tang martial practitioners in escorting Zhao Shicheng out of this place.
The current situation was still rather disadvantageous for himself and for Broad Creed Mountain, with Zhao Shicheng having been heavily injured. Even if he could be saved from the Sealing Dragon Abyss, it was still unknown whether he would be able to deal with such a massive turn of events.
“There’s something wrong; what kind of smell is this?”
As he walked, Yan Zhaoge suddenly frowned. He came up to Zhao Shicheng’s side, giving a careful sniff.
“The pollen of the Hundred Spirit Ghost Grass,” Yan Zhaoge rolled his eyes, “Usually colourless and odourless, only emitting such a smell when in contact with the Sealing Dragon Abyss’s chaotic streams of baleful qi.”
The Eastern Tang martial practitioners beside Yan Zhaoge looked at him quizzically.
Yan Zhaoge pinched the corner of his forehead, “As expected, Infinite Boundless Mountain has stuck its nose in.”
The Eastern Tang had alchemy as its tradition; the King of the Eastern Tang Kingdom, Zhao Shicheng himself was one of the top three alchemists in the lands of the Eastern Tang.
Even he had not noticed any abnormalities on himself; it was therefore only natural that the other Eastern Tang martial practitioners were unaware of it as well.
In the dao of alchemy, amongst the Sacred Grounds, Infinite Boundless Mountain leaned towards the weaker side; the Hundred Spirit Ghost Grass had also never been produced in the Mountain Domain before.
“Zhao Hao,” Yan Zhaoge narrowed his eyes.
Such an unorthodox medicinal knowledge, in the lands of the Eastern Tang, should only be known by one other person other than himself, and that was Zhao Hao.
With Zhao Hao’s current cultivation, he naturally couldn’t smell it from a long distance away.
However, he could instruct Martial Grandmaster experts of Infinite Boundless Mountain to track Zhao Shicheng through that smell.
If the other side really was led by a Martial Grandmaster, their speed would definitely be higher than that of his own party.
In the situation where their movements were exposed, pure running would not be able to let them get away.
“Ah Hu, catch a fast-moving demonic beast here; I want a live one,” Yan Zhaoge commanded.
Not asking for the reason, Ah Hu immediately executed what was asked of him.
Not having the time to care about whether or not he was being rude, Yan Zhaoge directly stripped off Zhao Shicheng’s outer robe and tied it on the demonic beast’s body, before letting it run free.
“We cannot stop; continue moving forward,” Yan Zhaoge said, “Even without his outer robe, Uncle Zhao still has the fragrance of the pollen of the Hundred Spirit Ghost Grass on him.”
“As soon as we stop, we will be exposed.”
The party continued on their way, but the quaking within the Sealing Dragon Abyss at this moment was becoming more and more pronounced by the second, as though the very heavens were collapsing and the very earth splitting apart.
“His Majesty’s condition is getting worse and worse,” As they walked, an Eastern Tang martial practitioner said in a grave tone.
Yan Zhaoge knit his brows slightly. Going up to check, he saw that Zhao Shicheng’s face had turned black, a green qi and a red qi repeatedly flashing.
While he was currently unconscious, his body’s Profound Art was rotating on its own as it withstood the invading baleful qi.
Both sides clashed unceasingly, affected by the quaking in the outside world, to the point where it seemed like he was in danger of undergoing cultivation deviation.
At this time, continuing to bring him forward would conversely be speeding him towards his death.
Even though the Eastern Tang Kingdom had a Xiantian Martial Scholar expert here, standing guard over their liege with their aura-qi, it would be hard to ensure his safety-the situation before them in the Sealing Dragon Abyss seemed like a scene from the end of the world.
Yan Zhaoge sucked in a deep breath, “Since he can’t continue moving, let’s just compete with the other side in the area of buying time.”
“Put down Uncle Zhao; I will assist him in recovering.”
Because of Yan Zhaoge’s repeated miraculous performances earlier as well as the Yan Family’s close relationship with Zhao Shicheng, faced with this situation, the Eastern Tang Kingdom martial practitioners chose to believe in Yan Zhaoge.
The Xiantian Martial Scholar expert immediately came forward to help.
Yan Zhaoge placed one of his palms on Zhao Shicheng’s chest and the other on his back, as he began circulating the Heaven-Thwarting Mantra, assisting Zhao Shicheng in guiding and expelling the chaotic streams of baleful qi within his body.
Ah Hu and the others guarded closely by Yan Zhaoge’s and Zhao Shicheng’s sides.
At this moment, his entire face filled with earnestness, the gaze with which Ah Hu looked at Yan Zhaoge and Zhao Shicheng faintly contained a sense of worry.
Luckily, as time passed, Zhao Shicheng’s condition gradually stabilised. Seeing this, everyone’s faces filled with joy.
However, the formation with Zhao Shicheng sustaining it as its core was becoming more and more unstable by the second.
Obviously, the situation over at Jingyang City was not something to be optimistic about.
Now, Ah Hu and the others frowned simultaneously, as the faraway black fog parted and a group of martial practitioners appeared.
The people who had come were garbed fully in black, precisely the appearance of Infinite Boundless Mountain martial practitioners.
Leading them was actually a Xiantian Martial Scholar. Beside him stood a youth, none other than Zhao Hao himself.
Glancing at Yan Zhaoge and Zhao Shicheng, Zhao Hao’s gaze was distant and deep, “You were able to detect the Hundred Spirit Ghost Grass pollen?”
“Luckily, upon getting close enough, even a Xiantian Martial Scholar will be able to barely discern its smell. Otherwise, we would really have fallen for your ‘Cicada Casting Off Skin’ trick.”
That Infinite Boundless Mountain Xiantian Martial Scholar said mildly, “Currently, King Zhao is not merely lightly injured; his body has been invaded by the Sealing Dragon Abyss’s baleful qi.”
“If the treatment is wrong, it would instead be putting his life at risk.”
“In this kind of situation, it would be better for Martial Scholars not to make a move. Our clan’s Martial Grandmaster, Elder He, will be arriving at any moment. Him helping to treat King Zhao’s injuries-that is the way it should naturally be.”
He took a stride forward, “Saving a life is like extinguishing a fire; the earlier the better, and best not delayed. Just directly hand the person over to us.”
Zhao Hao did not look at Yan Zhaoge and Ah Hu, instead staring at the other Eastern Tang Kingdom martial practitioners, “If the time for treatment is delayed, Royal Father’s life might be lost.”
“This responsibility-which of you can bear it?”
HSSB77: I’m happy, what do you care?
Faced with Zhao Hao, the leading Eastern Tang martial practitioner did not shrink back.
“Sixteenth Prince, if this lowly subject does not remember wrongly, Your Majesty has ordered that you remain guarding Jingyang City. If no royal decree is given, you are not to leave.”
“Now, however, why have you appeared here?”
Hearing his words, Zhao Hao was not angered, as he just said mildly, “Naturally, it’s because I was worried about Royal Father’s condition.”
“I am proficient in medicine and alchemy; you should be aware of this as well.”
That Eastern Tang Kingdom faced him head-on, “So you dared to risk universal condemnation and leave behind medicinal powder on His Majesty’s body in order to track him?”
His hands behind his back, Zhao Hao’s expression did not change, “Do not speak nonsense; I only recognised the smell of the Hundred Spirit Ghost Grass pollen, and do not know how it came to appear on Royal Father’s body.”
“However, now does not seem to be the time to be quibbling over such inconsequential matters.”
He glanced at Yan Zhaoge and Zhao Shicheng, “Saving Royal Father’s life is the most important thing, as you should well know. It cannot be delayed.”
The Infinite Boundless Mountain martial practitioner beside him said in a deep tone, “We will be offending you.”
Saying thus, the group of Infinite Boundless Mountain martial practitioners rushed up towards the group from the Eastern Tang.
Infinite Boundless Mountain had strength in its numerical advantage, and its martial practitioners were also superior whilst at the same cultivation level.
Even with the formation guarding them, the Eastern Tang’s side felt extremely pressured.
With Zhao Shicheng unconscious, chaos having erupted back in Jingyang City and the black fog invading outside the Sealing Dragon Abyss, the formation guarding them had already become somewhat weak.
The two Infinite Boundless Mountain Xiantian Martial Scholars went on ahead to keep the formation at bay, while the other Infinite Boundless Mountain martial practitioners began jostling into the formation.
The Xiantian Martial Scholar of the Eastern Tang had originally been assisting Yan Zhaoge in treating Zhao Shicheng.
As this moment, seeing the situation, he could only stop temporarily, getting ready to stand up and face the enemy.
But before he could move, two sounds of ‘Peng’, ‘Peng’ landed by his ear.
A large man stood in front of the group, directly flinging two Infinite Boundless Mountain martial practitioners, one in each hand, away from them.
Ah Hu stood there, looking as though nothing had happened.
He looked at the other side’s people, grinning, “With my Young Master here, your presence is not required. Please return.”
Seeing Ah Hu make his move, an Infinite Boundless Mountain Xiantian Martial Scholar’s gaze turned severe.
He strode forward, pushing out with his palm. Where his aura-qi touched, its density weighed down heavily like an entire mountain range.
With that, it was as though the scenery before everyone’s eyes had completely changed.
They were no longer in the Sealing Dragon Abyss, but within a mountain range of lofty, majestic peaks.
As though they were being pushed by someone, the surrounding mountains began pressuring down towards them simultaneously.
Aura-qi attaining life–it had not simply materialised as a weapon’s fearsome edge, but, rather, transformed into an illusory heaven and earth to suppress the enemy.
It was a skill only possessed by those of the mid Xiantian Martial Scholar realm or higher.
Ah Hu[1] grinned, his usually simple and honest smile now seeming ferocious and savage beyond compare.
A long howl resounded, causing the surrounding area to rumble, as though a massive prehistoric beast, brutal and ferocious, had just awoken from its slumber.
Dazed for a moment, the Infinite Boundless Mountain martial practitioners now saw a massive black tiger appear right before their very eyes.
The howl of the tiger caused the winds to surge, a violent hurricane spreading out in all directions.
The illusory heaven and earth and its towering mountains that the aura-qi of that Infinite Boundless Mountain Xiantian Martial Scholar had transformed into was assaulted by the terrifying storm. The land quaked and the mountains shook, the surrounding rocks breaking apart.
Faced with a black nightmare of a hurricane, the mountain range of lofty, majestic peaks, collapsed.
The Infinite Boundless Mountain martial practitioner’s face instantly turned black as a pot’s bottom, as he cursed loudly, “Xiantian Martial Scholar!”
“You, a Xiantian Martial Scholar, being someone’s servant and follower-are you not ashamed?”
Even the martial practitioners of the Eastern Tang stared at Ah Hu in shock, finding it extremely hard to get their minds around it.
The Martial Scholar realm consisted of the following stages: Inner aura, Outer aura, Xiantian, and finally, Heavenly Connection.
With Heavenly Connection Martial Scholars generally focused on making preparations for breaking through into the Martial Grandmaster realm, seldom making worldly appearances, Xiantian Martial Scholars could be considered to be at the peak of Martial Scholars.
In the Eastern Tang and the entire East Heaven Region, Xiantian Martial Scholars were forces that could not be taken lightly.
In Sacred Grounds like Broad Creed Mountain and the Sacred Sun Clan, their Assignment Hall Elders at most only had the cultivation base of Xiantian Martial Scholars, with most of them being in the outer aura Martial Scholar realm.
Within the lands of the Eastern Tang, the leaders of many medium and small sects as well as familial powers were but Xiantian Martial Scholars at the very most, with even more of them unable to reach that level.
In the Eastern Tang royal palace, a Xiantian Martial Scholar could already be granted the position of an honorary minister.
But right before their very eyes, there was a Xiantian Martial Scholar expert, one who was already at least in the mid Xiantian stage, following after Yan Zhaoge and serving him diligently all day long.
Not as an elite bodyguard, but as a follower who was often sent running around like an errand boy.
But it was just-they could not reconcile this fierce-looking large man before them with the image within their minds of the slick fellow with the big build who had always seemed so simple and honest before this as he followed behind Yan Zhaoge wherever he went.
The Infinite Boundless Mountain martial practitioner stared at Ah Hu, his face livid, “It would still be acceptable if you had become the servant of Yan Wudi himself. But even though he is Yan Wudi’s son, how can you bend your head and serve him so willingly?”
“Where is your dignity; where is your pride?”
Ah Hu pulled at his ears, extending his hands in mockery as he grinned, “I’m happy, what do you care?”
Infinite Boundless Mountain’s other leading Xiantian Martial Scholar, his face similarly sunken, now said, “I remember now.”
“There was a rumour in the past that Yan Di once went all out and spared no expense in rescuing an old servant of his, even offending the Heavenly Thunder Hall of the Thunder Domain in the process.”
“But it seemed like that old servant still died later on, and all Yan Di brought back was a child.”
Ah Hu stopped smiling, his expression turning solemn, “That was my grandfather; I, Huang Huting, was that very child.”
Zhao Hao said coldly, “Your grandfather was a servant, and to repay your debt of gratitude, you too became the Yan Family’s lifetime servant.”
“What a base, spineless person. You are not fit to call yourself a martial practitioner.”
Ah Hu chuckled, “A small fry like you still talking about being fit or unfit; I can clap you dead with a single hand.”
“If you ask me, you aren’t fit to talk to my Young Master; you aren’t even fit to talk to me.”
Zhao Hao stared, a cold light flashing within his eyes, but was faced with Ah Hu’s sudden wild howl.
Under the impact of that violent aura-qi, Zhao Hao instantly saw stars, blood trickling down from his mouth and nostrils.
However excellent his knowledge and however high his cultivation had been in the past, however strong the atmosphere he had within him and his unrivalled ability at his cultivation level, it could also not make up for the huge gulf in cultivation between them as he was directly suppressed by the difference in realms.
It was virtually ‘a scholar encountering a soldier, possessing logic but unable to get it across’.
It wasn’t just Zhao Hao; the other Infinite Boundless Mountain martial practitioners were also all rendered dizzy and dazed, the world spinning before their eyes.
The two Infinite Boundless Mountain Xiantian Martial Scholars shouted loudly in unison, before finally managing to make Ah Hu’s howl sound less intense.
Their faces livid, no longer in the mood for words, they shot into the sky, attacking towards Ah Hu in unison.
Ah Hu chuckled coldly. Resembling a beast which swallowed all it saw without reservation, he separated his palms, preparing to withstand the two with his own power, with no intention of backing off in the slightest.
The Eastern Tang Kingdom martial practitioners wanted to go forward to help, but found that Ah Hu alone was more than enough, as he dealt with his opponents with relative ease.
“His opponents are not your typical martial practitioner; they are from Infinite Boundless Mountain, the Sacred Ground of the Mountain Domain ah.”
The Eastern Tang Kingdom martial practitioners were all wide-eyed and slack-jawed in shock, unconsciously swallowing their saliva as they found it a little difficult to accept the sight before their eyes.
It was even worse for those of Infinite Boundless Mountain, who were angered to the point of vomiting blood, “This is a servant for the Yan Family?!”
Just at this time, a terrifying atmosphere suddenly assailed.
Ah Hu’s expression turned grave, while the Infinite Boundless Mountain martial practitioners were all filled with joy, “Elder He has arrived!”
A Martial Grandmaster’s terrifying atmosphere that could not be falsified descended and engulfed the entire area in an instant.
[1] Reminder: Hu means tiger
HSSB78: Don’t look down on librarians
The atmosphere of a Martial Grandmaster expert engulfed the surrounding area, agitating the wind and the clouds.
The hearts of the Eastern Tang martial practitioners all sunk down to the utmost depths. Even all of them combined would not be able to stand up to such an opponent.
The figure of Infinite Boundless Mountain’s Elder He appeared, his gaze landing on Yan Zhaoge and Zhao Shicheng.
Just as he was about to open his mouth to speak, his expression suddenly changed slightly.
The King of the Eastern Tang Kingdom, Zhao Shicheng, who had originally been unconscious and dead to the world, actually suddenly opened his eyes at this very moment.
Their gazes clashed head-on within the air just like that.
Zhao Shicheng said mildly. “Elder He, coming over to visit personally-I have troubled you.”
As he said this, he sat up, one hand clenching into a fist, the other slapping onto the ground beside him.
With the ground beneath him as their centre, the originally faint and broken lines of spirit patterns suddenly lit up with a dazzling radiance, spreading to envelop the surrounding area.
The power of the formation increased tremendously at this moment, going from ailing and weak to strong and abundant.
A powerful force directly shocked the people from Infinite Boundless Mountain led by Elder He, causing them to consecutively take a few steps back in retreat as they were forced out of the formation.
“How is it possible that he managed to recover so quickly?” Elder He swivelled his head to look at the other Infinite Boundless Mountain martial practitioners.
The two leading Xiantian Martial Scholars shook their heads bitterly, their faces filled with utter incomprehension and disbelief.
They said softly, “When we caught up to them, his injuries were very grave. The only difference between him and a dead person was that he still barely breathed.”
“There is definitely no reason for him to have recovered in such a short time.”
“This is virtually seeing a ghost in broad daylight!”
Wiping the traces of blood from the corner of his mouth, Zhao Hao stared at the Yan Zhaoge by Zhao Shicheng’s side, his palms still pressed on Zhao Shicheng’s chest and back.
“What a shocking speed; how in the world did he do it?!”
Zhao Hao gnashed his teeth, fresh blood leaking from the corner of his mouth once more.
He was proficient in alchemy and medicine, standing at the very peak of this world. Other than a very select few, there were no others who were qualified to be mentioned in the same breath as him.
But helping Zhao Shicheng to recover in such a short period of time, was not something that he would have been able to do!
He had seen how Zhao Shicheng had been initially, seen how grave his injuries were.
But now, Zhao Shicheng had actually managed to regain his consciousness, as well as reactivate the formation once again. This went completely against his predictions.
Zhao Hao sucked in a deep breath, “It is not just that Golden Needle Liberating Pill technique; he is extremely proficient in all aspects of alchemy and medicine as well!”
Elder He’s gaze similarly landed on Yan Zhaoge, “The Broad Creed Young Master is not a dragon among men but a dragon amongst dragons-the rumours were actually true?!”
Let alone having completely gone against the expectations of the people from Infinite Boundless Mountain, even the Eastern Tang Kingdom martial practitioners were all shocked and startled by what had just transpired.
A warning bell sounded in the hearts of some, “It shouldn’t be a technique that excites one’s potential, forcefully causing His Majesty to awaken now at the price of his injuries deteriorating afterwards, perhaps even leading to his eventual death?”
“Don’t tell me that it is the moment of clarity before his death, the remnant radiance of the setting sun?”
Detecting the worried and troubled gazes of those around him, Yan Zhaoge couldn’t help but roll his eyes.
“I say, you guys, don’t look down on librarians, that occupation ah.”
Zhao Shicheng nodded towards Yan Zhaoge, then directly stood up, “This King was temporarily afflicted with a minor ailment; it is already fine now.”
“Thank you Elder He for personally taking the trouble to rush here to visit me, but this Sealing Dragon Abyss is not a place suitable for conversing.”
“After we have departed, This King will throw up a banquet within the royal palace-we will attend Elder He and you others of Infinite Boundless Mountain with hospitality then.”
Elder He looked at Zhao Shicheng, frowning.
He did not believe that having suffered such grave injuries before, Zhao Shicheng had already completely recovered.
Still, he could not grasp for sure how much of his power Zhao Shicheng currently still possessed.
How much of the power of Jingyang City’s grand formation Zhao Shicheng could currently still draw on was also an unknown.
If Zhao Shicheng was at his peak state, assisted by the power of the grand formation, Elder He would not be his match.
Zhao Hao’s gaze moved between Yan Zhaoge and Zhao Shicheng repeatedly.
Zhao Shicheng, however, did not even glance at him once.
When Zhao Shicheng had assisted Broad Creed Mountain in repelling the Sacred Sun Clan in Jingyang City previously, Zhao Hao had completely lost all hope in him.
And with Zhao Hao having appeared at this place and time accompanied by those of Infinite Boundless Mountain, Zhao Shicheng now lost all hope in Zhao Hao as well.
Zhao Shicheng looked at Elder He, saying calmly, “This is not the place for conversing; This King will first take his leave. Elder He, please leave as you will.”
Saying thus, he extended his palms forward before pushing down at the air beneath him.
The spirit patterns of the formation vibrated, currents of qi flowing and rising, swirling to envelop Yan Zhaoge, Ah Hu and the other Eastern Tang martial practitioners with Zhao Shicheng at their centre, before rising towards the entrance of the Sealing Dragon Abyss.
Elder He’s face was sunken-he was really not satisfied if he had to give up just like this.
Although he was no longer completely confident in his success, he did not hesitate and risk wasting any time, instead immediately moving to obstruct Yan Zhaoge, Zhao Shicheng and the others.
But at this time, an intense tremor suddenly emanated over from the distance.
A cold, majestic sword-qi was transmitted over, slicing through the very air itself as the canyon within the Sealing Dragon Abyss seemed about to completely break apart.
“It’s Broad Creed Mountain’s East Elder and the Sacred Sun Clan’s East Rising Lord; they are rushing over here!”
An imposing sword-qi broke through the sky, blocking the path of those from Infinite Boundless Mountain.
A golden sword-light lit up, clashing with that imposing sword-qi once more.
However, the chance for the group from Infinite Boundless Mountain to chase down and attack Yan Zhaoge and the others had already passed; it was already too late.
Elder He’s face dimmed, “We have missed the opportunity; the situation here on out is something that we have no confidence over.”
“Let’s go. Contact our clan’s Elder to determine whether we should retreat or proceed on.”
He looked towards Zhao Hao, “If you continue to remain in the Eastern Tang, it will be difficult for you to produce any results in the future.”
Zhao Hao fell into a deep silence.
Yan Zhaoge, Zhao Shicheng and the others had also felt Elder Qin and the East Rising Lord approaching just now.
Not only that; Elder Kong and that female Martial Grandmaster expert of the Sacred Sun Clan had long since left the Sealing Dragon Abyss in the midst of their fight, causing the heavens to roil and the earth to overturn wherever they fought as they swept over a distance spanning several hundred kilometres long.
“Uncle, the chaotic streams of baleful qi within your body have not been completely expelled yet,” Yan Zhaoge looked at Zhao Shicheng as he continued, “How confident are you about the situation over at Jingyang City?”
His expression slightly pale, Zhao Shicheng concentrated on that faint connection for a while before slowly saying, “Shilie, has already invaded and entered the royal palace.”
“With the help of the Sacred Sun Clan’s people, Royal Uncle cannot withstand him; control over half of the grand formation has already been wrested over by him.”
“With This King currently not within the Royal Palace, regaining control of it would require quite a bit of effort.”
Zhao Shicheng hacked forward with his palm. The currents of qi swirled, bringing Yan Zhaoge and the others to land safely on the ground.
With the current worrying condition of his body, Zhao Shicheng all the more had to conserve his energy for the battles that would ensue.
Luckily, all the cities within the lands of the Eastern Tang had relay stations[1], so they didn’t have to worry about their mode of transportation.
“If we rush back to Jingyang now, we might not be able to make it in time, and Zhao Shilie’s advantage will only grow,” Yan Zhaoge said, “Uncle, I actually have a plan; perhaps you could try it out.”
Zhao Shicheng turned to look at him, “Oh? What are your thoughts, Zhaoge?”
Yan Zhaoge said, “Our clan’s Spirit Wind Canyon; not far from Overlooking Abyss City, while also quite close to the Sealing Dragon Abyss.”
“A certain amount of resources are stored there; we can attempt to set up a reversal formation.”
Zhao Shicheng’s gaze lit up, “Reversal formations are not easy to set up. Saying this, Zhaoge, you must have a way of doing so?”
Yan Zhaoge said, “I have the plans for the formation in my hands; we can place our bet on it.”
“While I say that it is a bet, it still presents more hope than if we returned to Jingyang City.”
Zhao Shicheng was moved by his words, but he asked with a sound transmission, “If it’s the Spirit Wind Canyon, the Cloud-Veined Crystal quarry …”
Yan Zhaoge similarly replied with a sound transmission, “The war has already begun. Elder Xu Chuan being a capable person, he should already have made the necessary arrangements. There is no need to worry about the secret being exposed.”
“While the people from Infinite Boundless Mountain were obstructed by Elder Qin, on the territory of the Mountain Domain just outside of the Eastern Tang, many troops are definitely stationed and awaiting orders, poised to strike.”
“The Sacred Sun Clan is also moving.”
“Meanwhile, Zhao Shilie’s incursion on Jingyang City is also blazing strong.”
“Currently, every single second—time is of the essence!”
[1] Horses, of course
HSSB79: Enemies pressuring the border
Zhao Shicheng looked at Yan Zhaoge, “Could I take a look at your formation?”
Even before he finished his sentence, Yan Zhaoge was already pulling out a cloth scroll.
Where his aura-qi touched, the cloth scroll did not tear, but some marks were left behind. With a “Shua, shua” sound, a complicated looking formation schematic appeared in front of Zhao Shicheng.
Zhao Shicheng carefully examined the diagram, comparing it with the knowledge of formations that he already had. Immediately, a feeling of cheerfulness welled up within him.
“This method could work!” Zhao Shicheng exclaimed, “However, to set up this formation, it will still depend on whether or not the supplies are sufficient.”
Yan Zhaoge said, “We’ve stored some materials at the Spirit Wind Canyon. Even then, if there aren’t enough supplies, we can try to requisition some from the nearby Overlooking Abyss City.”
With respect to the necessary materials for setting up a large-scale formation, Spirit Wind Canyon would naturally lack them.
…Even supposing that there was no lack, in front of those of the Eastern Tang, they would have to lack those materials.
Without prior preparation, how could they possible have the materials stored up? They would have had to been preparing for such a situation for quite some time, and who was to say that those preparations were only directed at the Sacred Sun Clan?
When all was said and done, this reversal formation had to power to shake the Jingyang Grand Formation.
Even if Zhao Shicheng did not hold any misgivings of this sort, it was inevitable that other strong cultivators from the Eastern Tang would have some uncertainties about the intentions of Broad Creed Mountain.
After settling on this plan, they all immediately set off for Spirit Wind Canyon. On their way there, they continuously received news regarding the progress of the battle.
In the Eastern Tang, apart from Jingyang City, most places had not yet fallen into disorder. However, all of the areas controlled by the Broad Creed Mountain had encountered the menace of the Sacred Sun Clan.
This was also true of Spirit Wind Canyon, which was already under siege from the outside.
Yan Zhaoge and the rest of the delegation quickly swept through all obstructions. Having already received news of their arrival, Xu Chuan hurriedly came out and ushered Yan Zhaoge and Zhao Shicheng into the city.
Currently, Xu Chuan had been reassigned as the Acting Elder of the Spirit Wind Canyon. Compared to its previous status, Spirit Wind Canyon had become vastly more important—meaning that its defenses had also increased correspondingly.
“Elder Xu, please prepare the items on the list that I gave you. Whatever is missing, list it out.” Yan Zhaoge immediately spoke with no time for pleasantries.
Xu Chuan was likewise aware of the urgency of this mission, and immediately received the list that Yan Zhaoge had prepared. He immediately dispatched people to gather all the available materials, and made a quick report of all the unavailable ones.
“Overlooking Abyss City has all of the things that we’re lacking,” Xu Chuan instantly said, “It is unknown whether our clan’s warehouses have fallen, but even if we can’t get them from there, other places in Overlooking Abyss City definitely have those things.”
“Whether it is the Sacred Sun Clan or Infinite Boundless Mountain—their warehouses are definitely not lacking!”
Yan Zhaoge took a look at the list that Xu Chuan had compiled, then turned to Ah Hu, “Ah Hu, the situation is urgent; you’ll have to make a trip. Be mindful of your safety.”
Zhao Shicheng and Yan Zhaoge had to remain in order to set up the formation, and amongst the others, Ah Hu was the strongest.
Ah Hu gave a simple and honest laugh, “Young master can be assured, I will be there and back before you know it.”
Having said that, he turned and left. As soon as he exited the Spirit Wind Canyon, he made a beeline for Overlooking Abyss City.
Zhao Shicheng looked in the direction in which Ah Hu had departed, “Even though Yan Di did not pass down the core learnings of Broad Creed Mountain to him, whether it is the Black Nightmare Godly Wind or the Ghost Tiger Divine Claw, both of them are peak martial arts.”
Yan Zhaoge’s expression became warm, “That year, my dad actually wanted to take in Ah Hu as a disciple, but it was Ah Hu himself who refused.”
“Therefore, my father took out the direct lineage martial arts of the late Wind Domain’s Sacred Ground that he had collected and passed them down to Ah Hu.”
In recent years, Yan Di had actually wanted to take Ah Hu as a disciple even more, and Yan Zhaoge’s body’s previous owner had also looked upon Ah Hu more as a friend than a servant.
After Yan Zhaoge arrived in this world, he had also viewed the big fellow in the same way. Most of the time, he did not even think of him as a servant.
The two of them often poked fun at each other, possessing a cheerful and relaxed relationship.
Compared to some people whose faces he had never seen and he had never spoken to, existing only in the memories of his body’s original owner, Yan Zhaoge had a much deeper relationship with Ah Hu. As their friendship deepened, their relationship became closer to the relationship that had existed with his body’s original owner.
If it wasn’t for Ah Hu’s cheeky style whereby he seemed to disregard social status, making it seem like he needed to be taught a lesson, he could basically be considered the first friend that Yan Zhaoge made since arriving at this world.
As he spoke with Zhao Shicheng, Yan Zhaoge began helping him as they assembled a brand new formation within the Spirit Wind Canyon.
From the looks of it, this formation somewhat resembled the Jingyang Grand Formation.
However, if one looked closely, the detailed markings in the formation seemed right but were actually wrong. Compared to the original grand formation in Jingyang City, it was as though everything had been reversed.
It was like everything had been reflected in a mirror.
The formation gradually took shape, already beginning to emit a brilliant light. The lines of spirit patterns lit up in all directions, covering all of Spirit Wind Canyon.
Zhao Shicheng sat in the centre of the formation, one hand clenched in a fist, while the other slapped at the ground.
As for the Jingyang Grand Formation which was also being controlled by him, the light emitted by that formation also began to grow more dazzling.
It was only that that light was constantly flickering, causing it to appear very unstable.
Yan Zhaoge knew that this was caused by Prince Jin, Zhao Shilie’s, revolt in Jingyang City.
Zhao Shicheng’s expression didn’t change as he meditated serenely. He directed the power of the grand formation whilst simultaneously drawing on the power of the Spirit Wind Canyon reversal formation to find a counterbalance between the two powers.
His eyes flashed as his dragon robe began to emit a golden light.
Golden light like the scales of a dragon- it was as though an armor of dragonscales was protecting his body.
This was the Eastern Tang’s number one treasure, the mid-grade spirit artifact known as the Imperial Golden Dragonscale Armor.
Most of the time, it remained inconspicuous, contained within Zhao Shicheng’s body. However, when the need arose, the armor would manifest itself and envelop his body.
Inside the Sealing Dragon Abyss, it was lucky that he had had the protection of this powerful mid-grade spirit artifact. Otherwise, with the sudden reversal of the grand formation and the recoil from the power of the Sealing Dragon Abyss’s abnormalities, even whether or not he could have secured his very survival was an unknown thing.
Yan Zhaoge formed a sword with his left hand, whilst making a guiding motion with his right. A jade-colored green light shot towards the sky, then landed directly in front of Zhao Shicheng in the center of the formation.
This was Yan Zhaoge’s personal spirit artifact, the Jade Dragon Sword.
Zhao Shicheng gently stroked the tip of the blade, as the roar of a dragon instantly resounded.
The Jade Dragon Sword hung in midair under the control of its consciousness.
On the sword’s blade, there was a brilliance circulating as the faint shadow of a dragon appeared and began travelling around.
The faint shadow of a golden dragon also materialised above the Imperial Golden Dragonscale Armor that Zhao Shicheng was wearing, also roaring mightily.
The Imperial Golden Dragonscale Armor worked to control and direct the flow of power from the Jingyang Grand Formation while the Jade Dragon Sword helped to control the reversal formation.
The twin dragons dazzled with a brilliant light as the two formations harmonized, the power they emitted growing stronger and stronger.
Just at this time, the Broad Creed Mountain and Eastern Tang martial practitioners within the canyon all frowned slightly.
A strong atmosphere suddenly descended upon the Spirit Wind Canyon from outside it.
A wheel of golden light rose up at the mouth of the canyon as a frightening pressure began pressuring down towards the formation within.
“The Sacred Sun Clan! A Martial Grandmaster!”
Yan Zhaoge knit his brows. Though the cultivation of the attacking martial practitioner was inferior to those like Zhao Shicheng and Yan Xu, this was still a real Martial Grandmaster!
Zhao Shicheng’s expression remained calm as he raised a fist and punched into the sky.
Backed up by the power of the formation, his strike shot towards the golden wheel of light in the sky.
The two powers made contact and burst apart in a brilliant explosion, making it hard for others to even look at it.
At the moment, Zhao Shicheng’s injuries had still yet to mostly recover. What’s more, the power of the grand formation was still being contested over in Jingyang City.
He was able to obstruct that Martial Grandmaster and prevent him from entering, but his attention as well as the power of the formation was also momentarily occupied by him.
Under the attack of the Sacred Sun Clan Martial Grandmaster, a rift suddenly formed in the formation’s defenses.
Multiple figures rippled as a crowd of Sacred Sun Clan martial practitioners rushed into the canyon.
Amongst those who rushed in, many possessed a frightening aura, seemingly causing the very space around them to roil wherever they went.
The people within the canyon felt their hearts sink, “So many Xiantian Martial Scholars!”
Yan Zhaoge fixed his gaze on one of the invaders who was dressed in a white robe, with a large beard and a gaze as venomous as a snake’s. That person was precisely Xiao Shen.
Xiao Shen’s gaze swept over the canyon as he entered, his attention instantly focusing upon Yan Zhaoge.
“Yan! Zhao! Ge!” Xiao Shen spit out each syllable as he stared at Yan Zhaoge with a burning gaze.
